4-Hydroxy-3-(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)thiophen-2(5H)-one as inhibitors of tyrosyl-tRNA synthase: Synthesis, molecular docking and antibacterial evaluation

•A series of 4-hydroxy-3-(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)thiophen-2(5H)-ones were first synthesized.•Compound 29 is the most potent agent against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 with MIC50 value of 0.21 μg/mL.•Their biological activities are also evaluated for tyrosyl-tRNA synthase inhibitory activity.

A series of novel 4-hydroxy-3-(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)thiophen-2(5H)-ones as tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors were synthesized. Of these compounds, 4-(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)-5-oxo-2,5-dihydrothiophen-3-yl-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetate (29) was the most potent. The binding model and structure–activity relationship indicate that replacement of phenyl acetate in the side chain of 29 with a substituent containing more hydrophilic groups would be more suitable for further modification. Antibacterial assay revealed that the synthetic compounds are effective against growth of Gram-positive organisms, and 29 is the most potent agent against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 with MIC50 value of 0.21 μg/mL.